Crime & Public Safety
Shooting at Garry's Towing and Recovery in Martin County prompted school lockout, chase and crash
Two women were arrested after a shooting at Garry's Towing and Recovery in Martin County shortly after 1 p.m., an incident that prompted a nearby school lockout, a pursuit by deputies and a separate crash. The Martin County Sheriff's Office says the shooting occurred when one of the women fired multiple rounds at other individuals at the tow yard before leaving the scene.
According to the sheriff's office, the car involved had been recovered from the tow yard earlier that day after having been reported stolen the previous evening. The two women arrived at the tow yard to retrieve the vehicle; an altercation then occurred with occupants of another car. Deputies say one of the women, identified by investigators as Jade Rondon, obtained a firearm and fired multiple shots. The people who were shot at departed before deputies arrived.
Martin County deputies responded with road patrol, aviation and detectives, and placed the nearby middle school on lockout while they searched. Deputies located Rondon's vehicle on Cove Road near US-1 and attempted a traffic stop; she fled and deputies used a PIT maneuver to stop the car. The other woman, identified as Valerie Valdes, later lost control of a vehicle and caused a significant crash near Osprey Street and US-1; authorities reported no serious injuries.
Charges filed so far include two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm in public, aggravated fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended license and felony criminal mischief for Rondon. Valdes faces counts for operating an unregistered motor vehicle and multiple reckless driving with injuries charges. The sheriff's office continues to execute search warrants and review video and data evidence; investigators say additional charges are possible and that their review is ongoing.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.